Cigarette package



April 25, 1933. B. w. MERCHANT CIGARETTE PACKAGE Filed Jan. 14, 1952 Patented Apr. 25, 1933 v PATENT OFFICE BERENIGE WYETH MmCHANT, F KENSING-TON, MARYLAND CIGARETTE PACKAGE Application filed January 14, 1932. Serial No. 586,682.

This invention relates to cigarette packages of the type now used on popular brands of cigarettes comprising a paper package folded at its ends and adapted to be torn apart for the purpose of removing cigarettes.

In this type of package considerable diflicu'lty is encountered in removing the cigarettes from the package and, if the whole top is torn off, then, in that event, the cigarettes are open to the atmosphere and rapidly dry, fall out into the pocket of the user, etc.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide such packages with a string or wire whereby one end thereof may be pulled to split the package downwardly for the purpose of removing cigarettes without difficulty; as an example of such prior activity, I refer to Stokes Patent 1,701,316.

20 While packages containing strings or wires for the purpose of completely opening the package have desirable characteristics in acilitating the removal of the cigarettes from the packages, yet their advantages are 5 overcome by the disadvantage that when once opened the cigarettes cannot be conveniently carried in the pocket of the user for the reason that they will readily fall out.

It istherefore one of the primary objects of this invention to provide a cigarette package with a string for opening the same downwar'dly along its side and to provide, in conjunction with the same, a hinged flap adapted to secure the package together at will after it has had its side initially split as aforesaid.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a flap of substantially triangular shape I having a portion'thereof adapted to receive advertising indicia of divers kinds.

, It 'is also an object of the invention to secure the free end of the opening cord behind said flap when the package is sold to the consumer.

In the drawing: 1

Fig. 1 is a view of one form of the invention showing the flap in an open condition; Fig. 2 is a view of the package after it has been torn but with the sections thereof secured together by the flap then grasped by the operator and drawn Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 4 is a view of. another form of the invention showing the free end of the string disposed under the flap.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts, 1 is the package conventionally used by the popular brands of cigarettes now on the market. The ends of the package are folded as at 2 at both the bottom and top thereof. The numeral 3 is a cord anchored at the bottom of the package in any suitable manner, as by a disc 3 and extending across the bottom and outwardly on the inside of the wrapper as at 4 and is thence rebent upon itself and extended downwardly behind the-flap 5, or the upper end of the string may have secured thereto a disc similar to disc 3' as shown in Fig. 1, instead of being rebent upon itself and extending under the flap.

The flap 5 is of triangular formation and, is sealed or otherwise secured to the package proper as at 6. It has a space 7 for receiving various kinds of advertising indicia. This flap is provided with a metal clasp 8 which is bent inwardly as at 9 so that it may'readily pierce the side of the cigarettepackage for retaining it in place. The tobacco company may change from time to time the flap in order that different printed matter may appear thereon in order to utilize packages the manufacturer has on hand with different forms of advertising therefor.

Now, in the operation of the device, the user releases the clasp and folds the triangular flap backwardly in order to expose the free end of the ripping cord which cord is downwardly in order to split the package, after which the back of the package is used as a hinge for opening the cigarette packageto expose and facilitate removal of the cigarettes therein contained.

In order to prevent accidental removal of the cigarettes, my improved flap and fastening device may be utilized to secure the package sections apart from time to time until 1 the contents of the package have been exhausted.

What I claim is: 1. As an article of manufacture, a cigarette package comprising a container closed at its ends, means for splitting the container down the side wall thereof, said means comprising a string anchored at one end of the container and extending upwardly on the inside thereof to the adjacent end and projectin to the exterior of the container to provide a ree end, a securing flap adapted to normal- 1y conceal the free end of the string, a clasp associated with said flap, said clasp being adapted to be secured to the adjacent side of the container after the same has been split whereb to prevent inadvertent separation of the pac age.

2. A cigarette package of the character described of elongated horizontal cross section and provided with side walls and end walls respectively, means for ripping the package downwardly along one of its side walls whereby it may be hinged by the adjacent side walls forfacilitating the removal of cigarettes therefrom, said means comprising a string secured to one of the'end walls and extending upwardly on the inside of the package and thence outwardly of the package 301 and terminating in a free end, means for securing the package in closed position after it has been ripped, said means comprising a flexible flap secured to one of the side walls and having a portion thereof extending over the split portion of the side wall, said portion being provided with a clasp for detachably engaging the adjacent part of the side wall whereby the package is maintained in closed position when desired. 3. A cigarette package of the character described of elongated horizontal cross section and provided with side walls respectively, means for ripping the package along one of its side walls whereby it may be hinged by the adjacent said wall for facilitating the removal of cigarettes therefrom, said means comprising a string extending along the inside of one of the side walls and having a terminal portion on the outside of the package which may be grasped for s litting said wall, v means for securing the pac age in closed posion after it has been split, said means comprising a flexible flap secured to one. of the side walls and having a portion thereof extending over the split portion of the side wall,

said portion being provided with means for detachably engaging the adjacent part of the side wall whereby the package is maintained in closed position when desired.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BERENIGE WYETH MERCHANT. 

